Bryan Ceja, a 13-year-old boy, died in a multi-vehicle collision over the weekend on Highway 210 near Sylmar, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.

The violent crash, which occurred on December 14 around 7:53 p.m., not only claimed Bryan's life but also left his mother, Araceli, and his uncle Erick is in critical condition. Fortunately, they did not suffer life-threatening injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, a total of six people were injured. The collision caused two vehicles to overturn on westbound Highway 210, just east of the Sunland Boulevard exit. Witnesses told investigators that a black SUV or pickup truck was traveling at high speed and weaving between lanes moments before the collision. “Our family has been torn apart by an unimaginable tragedy caused by a reckless driver,” the Siordia family wrote on the GoFundMe page “In Loving memory of Bryan Ceja and supporting his loved ones,” created to raise funds for unexpected funeral and hospital expenses. The cause of the tragedy is unknown. But the national nonprofit organization leading the movement to end drunk and drug driving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) California, encourages everyone to take proactive steps to keep the roads safe this holiday season. And they provide some important safety tips: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving claimed 4,931 lives during the month of December between 2019 and 2023. In California alone, 1,355 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2023, a 4.5% decrease from 2022, but nearly 55% more than in 2014.

So, driving under the influence of alcohol remains one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury accidents on California roads.

Illuminate MADD Campaign

“The holiday season is the most dangerous time of year on our roads, and through this campaign, we are calling on all Californians to plan ahead and make safe choices,” said Patricia Rillera, regional executive director of MADD’s California and Hawaii offices, as she launched the fourth annual Illuminate MADD California, a statewide initiative that seeks to raise awareness about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs during the most dangerous time of year on our roads.

The campaign marks the start of the holiday season, a period when, unfortunately, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs makes California’s roads some of the most dangerous in the country, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

By lighting its buildings in red, MADD makes a A call to families, businesses, and communities to unite in solidarity, honor the victims, and promote safe driving practices. “Ending drunk and drug driving requires a collective effort, in which each and every one of us must participate,” Rillera said. Launched in 2022 with the city of Los Angeles as its lead city, Illuminate MADD California has grown into a powerful statewide movement. Now in its fourth year, the campaign continues to honor and remember those affected by drunk and drug driving by illuminating monuments, buildings, and homes across California with red lights.From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

By illuminating its buildings in red, MADD calls on families, businesses, and communities to unite in solidarity, honor the victims, and promote safe driving practices.

“Ending drunk and drug driving requires a collective effort, in which each and every one of us must participate,” said Rillera.

Launched in 2022 with the city of Los Angeles as its flagship city, Illuminate MADD California has grown into a powerful statewide movement. Now in its fourth year, the campaign continues to honor and remember those affected by drunk and drug driving by illuminating monuments, buildings, and homes across California in red.